13

Dai and Narco finally found out about the mysterious power Malachi used against them; grace. As they watched the other rounds of the Agency's Exam's second stage, Dai's mind was somewhere else. He was thinking about the mark on his nape, the mark of the crescent moon. Now that he learned about the existence of grace, he thought that it might've been connected to the mark on his nape.

Narco noticed Dai being in deep thought. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

Dai decided that he trusted Narco enough to confide in him. “Narco, do you think that what your brother did to your eye is related to grace?” He asked.

Narco’s expression turned serious. “I’m not sure, I don’t enough about grace yet to know for sure, but I think it could be related,” he answered.

Dai sighed. “When he did that to your eye, did it feel like every pore in your body got forced open?” Dai asked.

Narco’s eyes widened in shock. “How’d you know?”

Dai’s eyes saddened as he turned around and pulled his shirt’s collar down, revealing the mark of the crescent moon to his friend. "A mysterious man did this to me after he saved my life," he explained.

"A mysterious man?" Narco repeated, clearly confused.

Dai then quoted the man, "The human experience is a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of the universe. To transcend it is to transcend time itself."

Narco still looked confused, so Dai clarified. "That's what he said after he gave me this mark."

Narco then asked, "And you also felt like every pore in your body got forced open?"

Dai nodded. "I believe Rowan was right. We're currently half-awakened. And I think the reason for that is because we both had that experience. Opening every pore in your body might be how you awaken, and that's why it takes years for people to do it. Because they gradually have to train towards opening all of their pores."

"But our pores got forced open, so that's why we're in this half-awakened state, right?" Narco concluded Dai's theory.

But Dai then elaborated, "No, that's not it. The reason we're in this half-awakened state is that our bodies probably just aren't mature enough to handle being awakened at once yet. And I think that's why we felt that indescribable pain as it happened."

Narco nodded, acknowledging the accuracy of Dai's theory. He then reached out his hand in front of his eye, as if reaching out to a new reality.

Dai noticed the pensive look on Narco's face and put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll figure it out together, Narco. Both your eye and my mark," he reassured him.

Narco gave a small smile. "Thanks, Dai,” he replied.

As the next round of the exam began, Dai and Narco eagerly watched from the stands. Dai’s eyes suddenly widened and he nudged Narco in the arm. "Look, that's Mira and Aria!" he exclaimed, pointing to the two figures approaching the center of the arena.

Dai's heart swelled with pride as he saw his friends step forward. He couldn't help but feel a little envious that they were the ones down there in the thick of the action. From the other side of the arena, a tall, skinny man and a fierce-looking woman strode forward to meet them.

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"Are those Mira and Aria's opponents?" Dai asked, feeling a knot form in his stomach.

Narco nodded gravely. "Looks like it."

Suddenly, Astolfo's voice boomed through the arena. “Now, team fourteen will be facing team thirty-seven in a game of capture the flag. The rules are simple; you steal the other team’s flag and return it to your base. The first team to move the enemy’s flag to their base wins.”

Dai and Narco leaned forward in their seats, their eyes fixed on their friends as they waited for the signal to start the round.

"Capture the flag sounds pretty intense," Dai commented, his heart racing with excitement. "Do you think they'll be able to win? Their opponents seem pretty tough."

Narco shrugged. "We're just going to have to wait and see, I guess."

As the referee signaled the start of the match, the crowd roared with excitement. Mira and Aria dashed toward the center of the arena, their eyes locked on their opponents. Mira took up a defensive position while Aria made her way toward the enemy's flag. She was careful not to let her guard down as she didn't want to underestimate her opponents.

The game started off evenly matched, with both teams struggling to gain the upper hand. Aria found herself in a one-on-one duel with the female member of the opposing team. They circled each other warily, waiting for the other to make a move. Aria was quick and agile, dodging the other girl's attacks and landing her own blows. But the other girl was no slouch either, and soon they were locked in a fierce battle.

Meanwhile, Mira had her hands full as well. The tall, skinny man from the other team had his sights set on her, and he was determined to take her down. Mira blocked his punches with quick, agile movements, but she was soon backed into a corner.

The man launched a powerful kick at Mira, and she managed to dodge it just in time. But as she tried to counterattack, she stumbled and fell to the ground, her ankle twisted at an awkward angle.

Aria heard the sound of Mira hitting the ground and turned to see her friend struggling to get up. She knew she had to act fast if they were going to win this match.

As Aria continued to fight, her mind raced with thoughts of her fallen friend, Mira. She couldn't bear the thought of losing without giving it her all, knowing that Mira was counting on her. Suddenly, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see the tall, skinny man running towards their side of the arena with Mira’s flag in his hand.

With a fierce determination in her eyes, Aria channeled all her energy into a swift, graceful punch. The woman from the opposing team was caught off guard as Aria's palm connected with her stomach, sending her flying backward several meters. Aria turned her gaze to the man, who was frozen in fear.

"You're not going anywhere," Aria snarled. And she walked towards him with a vengeful expression on her face. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins as she neared the man, who crumbled under her gaze. He fell on his butt, holding out the flag to her and shaking with fear.

Aria snatched the flag from him, her eyes never leaving his face. She kicked the flag further away from the man, a silent message that no one messes with her or her team. Mira was still on the ground, but she managed to sit up as Aria approached. Aria helped her friend to her feet and they grabbed their opponents’ flag. Together, they walked back to their side of the arena, victorious.

The crowd erupted into cheers as they watched the two girls celebrate their win. And Aria couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she looked at her friend.

Mira looked up at her friend with a mix of awe and gratitude. Aria had come through for her, and for that, Mira was grateful as she hugged Aria in celebration.

Meanwhile, Dai and Narco could hardly contain their excitement as they watched the scene unfold.

“Did you see that?!” Narco exclaimed. “She definitely used grace to throw that lady so far back!”

Dai nodded in agreement, his eyes wide with wonder. “I wonder what else you can do with grace…” he trailed off, lost in thought.

“Do you want to ask her if she wants to teach us more about grace?” Narco asked.

Dai shook his head, “Looks like she already has a student,” he said, as he pointed towards the hugging Aria and Mira. “Also, I think I might know someone who can teach us about grace,” Dai continued, grinning mischievously.

Narco’s eyes widened in shock. “Really? Who?” he asked impatiently.

Dai wagged his finger playfully. “Ah ah, not until after we finish the Agency’s Exam.”

Narco pouted. “That’s not fair, now I’m even more curious!”

Dai chuckled, enjoying Narco’s reaction. “I’ve never seen you make a face like that before,” he teased.

Narco’s cheeks turned pink as he playfully bonked Dai on the head. “Shut up!” he protested, but couldn’t help giggling along with Dai. “Now, to start with the second-chance rounds. Team number thirteen and team number forty-four, please enter the arena after preparations are ready.”

Dai and Narco's laughter quickly stopped, it was time to get serious again.